PREFERMENT LEADS HOME WALLER TRIFECTA IN DASHING BMW TRIUMPH Monday 25 February 2019 ARETHA DOUBLES THE DELIGHT FOR WINDSOR PARK STUD aturday’s victory by Aretha (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ SStakes (1200m) brought double delight for well-known Cambridge-based breeding operation Windsor Park Stud. The victory carried dual significance for Windsor Park as the Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained filly became both the first Southern Hemisphere winner for shuttle stallion, Charm Spirit as well as his first at stakes level in this part of the world. Aretha is from the first New Zealand crop of the son of Invincible Spirit, who has enjoyed a dream start to his stud career in the Northern Hemisphere where he was rated the equal-leading European first crop sire in 2018. The victory came just hours after another Windsor Park stallion, Shamexpress produced his third stakes winner when unheralded filly Embrace Me (NZ) took out the Gr.3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night. “It was certainly a magic 24 hours and hugely exciting for us,” Windsor Park Stud Manager Rodney Schick said. “We have a really great bunch of young stallions who are just starting to kick goals so there is plenty to look forward to. “I think what was most satisfying with Aretha winning was that her owner, Greg McCarthy, has been a long-time client of the Stud, so to be able to secure a real milestone for Charm Spirit with Greg being involved is just great.” Schick believes the win by Aretha is just another component to the momentum that Charm Spirit has built up since commencing duties at Windsor Park. “He really has had a great start with good books of mares and some great results at the sales,” he said. “He was very well supported again this year with another solid book while his results at Karaka were very pleasing. “Importantly he seems to be well sought after by the Two-year-old filly Aretha became the first Southern Hemisphere winner for Continued on page 3 Windsor Park shuttle stallion, Charm Spirit on the weekend (Trish Dunell) PER INCANTO (Street Cry - Pappa Reale) PROVEN 13 stakes winners 22 stakes performers 3 Gr.1 winners 3 Gr.1 2YO performing colts 10 stakes performers this season already Sire of 2019 Gr.1 Railway Stakes winner Sire of 2019 Gr.1 Thorndon Mile winner Progeny have won over $12 MILLION in prize money From five crops of racing age lastud.co.nz BEN’S DAY BRIGHTENED BY DESERVED ROTORUA STAKES WIN FOR ILLUMINATI 3 Monday 25 February 2019 ARETHA DOUBLES THE DELIGHT FOR WINDSOR PARK STUD (Continued from page 1) Australian market. “Combine that with the win by Embrace Me, which just “He had a sensational result at the Gold Coast yearling sale backs up what Shamexpress has been doing to date and it where he averaged $237,000. was a very big weekend for us.” “Australia is such a vital market for our Industry that we – NZ Racing Desk need to be kicking goals there so that type of result is just fantastic. NEWS IN BRIEF Long Leaf one of three Lindsay Park Guineas chances Lindsay Park will have a three-pronged attack on the Australian Guineas (1600m) as it looks to break a losing streak in the Group One race. Amphitrite (Sebring), Hawkshot (Fiorente) and Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock) will represent the stable in the 1600m-race for three-year-olds at Flemington this Saturday, a race they haven’t won since 2007. New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale graduate, Long Leaf, will be having his first run since securing the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) last month, with Hayes indicating the the stable had followed a similar routine which led to his Ellerslie win and had kept him fresh. “He won a million-dollar race last start and he shouldn’t be forgotten about,” Hayes said. “He went back to the farm and his gallop was brilliant on Thursday. “We’ve given him a similar preparation as to what we did going into the race at Ellerslie. It worked there, so hopefully he’ll run well here.” Long Leaf ($51) is the outsider of the trio with Amphitrite ($5) and Hawkshot ($6) well fancied behind $4.80 favourite Mystic Journey (Needs Further). Long Leaf wins the Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie (Trish Dunell) New Zealand auction entries due 7pm tonight! $87,000 $54,000 $26,000 $152,000 $211,000 SOLD on gavelhouse.com SOLD on gavelhouse.com SOLD on gavelhouse.com SOLD on gavelhouse.com SOLD on gavelhouse.com ENTRIES CLOSE FOR OUR 4 MARCH AUCTION AT 7PM TONIGHT. ENTER ONLINE OR CONTACT THE TEAM TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS ON +64 9 296 4436. KITaya LOOKS SET FOR PROFITABLE WINTER AFTER UPSET VICTORY 4 Monday 25 February 2019 PLATINUM InvaDOR WALKS DERBY TIGHTROPE n eleventh-hour bid to secure a spot in the Gr.1 $15,625 injection to his career earnings. Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) went to plan That lifted the Redwood three-year-old into 19th place Aat Otaki on Saturday when rugged three-year-old on the order of entry, just one spot away from a guaranteed Platinum Invador (NZ) (Redwood) took out the last race on Derby start. the day. Latta was philosophical about the position she now An interrupted run in last week’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas finds herself in with Platinum Invador who is looking to join (2100m) saw the Lisa Latta-trained gelding finish unplaced stablemates Sir Nate (NZ) (Nadeem) and Lincoln Falls (NZ) and languishing in 22nd place on the order of entry for the (Dundeel) in the Ellerslie feature. Ellerslie blue riband event that will be run on March 2. “It’s really in the lap of the gods now,” Latta said. With entry to the 18-horse Derby field based on stakes “We’ve done all we can and it would be good to get a start earned it left the connections of Platinum Invador no option with him as I think we have all seen he is very much a genuine but to try to improve his position up the ladder with a win at stayer and will be suited by the 2400m of the Derby. Otaki. “It’s not ideal that we might have to race three weeks in A heady ride by Chris Johnson saw Platinum Invador a row, but he has pulled up well and if he can make the final weave a course between runners in the home straight to earn field, I think he will acquit himself well.” a comfortable victory and, importantly, secure a valuable Continued on page 5 Platinum Invador wins at Otaki to boost his chances for a start in the Gr.1 Vodafone Derby at Ellerslie this weekend (Race Images, Peter Rubery) 5 Monday 25 February 2019 PLATINUM InvaDOR WALKS DERBY TIGHTROPE (Continued from page 4) Latta is pleased with her two guaranteed Derby runners really good ground in a race that was dominated by those on who have taken contrasting paths to the event. the pace. “Sir Nate worked really well at home on Saturday morning “If we can draw a good barrier in the Derby and he can and I’m very pleased with him,” she said. find a forward position then I think he could surprise a few “He had a decent break after running third in the 2000 people. Guineas (Gr.1 1600m) and has steadily improved in his three “I guess that will be the same for everyone as barrier draws starts since then. are key in these types of races. A little rain wouldn’t hurt as “He was running on nicely in the Avondale Guineas and well, especially for Sir Nate, but we will just have to see how it will be at peak fitness for the Derby. He is a classy customer all pans out and just play the cards we are dealt.” who has performed well at the top level so he would have to – NZ Racing Desk be a big chance.” Lightly raced Dundeel colt Lincoln Falls has also pleased Race Otaki Maori RC Vets on Riverbank 2100m. Latta after not enjoying the best of racing luck in his most Winner Platinum Invador (NZ) 2015 recent starts which include a promising fifth in the Gr.2 Owners N J McAlister & Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa. Trainer Lisa Latta (Awapuni) Breeding by Redwood (GB) out of Atomic Dancer (AUS) by “I think we have learnt a lot with Lincoln Falls in his last Danehill Dancer (IRE) two runs,” she said. Breeder C Stewart; Auckland; NZ “He has a very good sprint at the end of his races, but we Sales 2017 National Yearling Sale - Festival V: Westbury have probably been guilty of riding him a little too far back. Stud $25000 P: Lisa Latta Racing “The track was funny at Te Rapa last time and he made up AmaRULA PROVIDES CLASS REMINDER AT HASTINGS 6 Monday 25 February 2019 GUINEAS TARGET FOR UNBEATEN FILLY rainer Allan Sharrock will lift his sights with promising Tthree-year-old Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park) after she maintained her unbeaten record with a comprehensive victory over 1200m at Otaki on Saturday. The Ocean Park filly had looked above average when sweeping to victory over 1100m on her home patch at New Plymouth last month and maintained that impression with another outstanding performance on the weekend. Settled near last by rider Dylan Turner, Our Hail Mary eased to the outer at the 600m before moving around the field to join issue shortly after commencing the run home.